Bartlesville Public School District’s Weekly Email Newsletter
The Bruin
Volume 7, Number 23...Friday, February 1, 2013...www.bps-ok.org
Course selection meetings for students who will attend BHS during 2013-14 set to take place
A community discussion regarding school facilities will take place Tuesday, February 5 at Central Middle School and Tuesday, February 12 at Madison Middle School. Both events will begin at 7:30 p.m.
February is “Future Schools Discussion Month”
Throughout the month of February, the Bartlesville Public School District will be holding “Future Schools Discussion Month.” As part of the of the facilities planning process, the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee comprised of citizens and educators, has been working for the past year to develop a plan for the future of the Bartlesville Public School District based on community response to previous proposals. Throughout the month of February, members of the public are encouraged to make their voices heard by taking part in upcoming meetings, surveys and social media opportunities. “Future Schools Discussion Month” is an open invitation for the public to look at the committee’s findings thus far, consider the options and offer recommendations. On Tuesday, February 5 in the Central SCHOOLS - Continued to page 8
Course selection meetings for students who will be juniors and seniors at Bartlesville High School during the upcoming 2013-14 academic year are scheduled to take place next week. Current juniors will be issued 11th to 12th grade enrollment information during their English classes on Monday, February 4 by counselors. Similar to the process taking place with juniors, current sophomores will be issued 10th to 11th grade enrollment information during World History classes on Tuesday, February 5 from counselors. In addition to students receiving enrollment information materials, parents are invited to an informational meeting on Tuesday, February 5 at 6 p.m. or Wednesday, February 6 at 12 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the Fine Arts Center and parents are invited to attend either session. At each session, principals and counselors will present ENROLLMENT- Continued to page 9
Bartlesville Public School District Teacher of the Month: December Bridgette Smith was named the Bartlesville Public order to allow students to become successful in the classSchool District’s Teacher of the Month for December by room, you must get to know them and understand them. Arvest Bank and Oakley Chevrolet-Buick. For her, this process allows her to find out what motivates Smith is a 10th grade English teacher at Bartlesville and what allows students to learn. She is always trying Mid-High School. In recognition of her Teacher of the to find a way to connect with students and improve their Month status, Smith was learning experience. presented with a plaque Smith referenced this idea by stating, “I spend time Mid-High as well as a check for getting to know them at the beginning of the year and $300.00 by Stephen Codiscover their interest and hobbies. Then, I work dililaw, Arvest Bank Senior Vice President and trust officer, gently to plan lessons that will keep my advanced learnand David Oakley Jr., the owner of Oakley Chevroleters interested while engaging my struggling students.” Buick. In addition to her Teacher of the Month award, Smith was also the 2012 Bartlesville Public School District Teacher of the Year. Smith went on to compete at the state level where she was named a Rising Star teacher, one of only six in the state. Bridgette Smith has been a teacher for five years. She has spent the last four years in her position at Bartlesville Mid-High School. In addition to her teaching duties, Smith also serves on the BMHS leadership team, the technology committee and is the BMHS English Department A 10th grade English teacher at Bartlesville Mid-High School, Bridgette Smith(pictured center), the Coordinator. Bartlesville Public School District’s Teacher of the Month for December, is congratulated by Stephen Smith has had a different Colaw (right), the Arvest Bank senior vice president and trust officer, and David Oakley, Jr. (left), path to becoming a teacher than owner of Oakley Chevrolet-Buick. many others. Following graduation from high school, she did not immediately attend In addition to relating to the students, Smith feels college, but rather moved throughout the country with it is important to constantly seek out new and innovaher husband who served in the United States Army. As tive teaching methods and strategies. She frequently her husband’s military service ended, Smith moved back looks at research to discover how to make her classto Oklahoma and enrolled in college. As she enrolled in room an even better learning environment. She poscollege, she thought back to a conversation she had with sesses a constant quest for knowledge. a high school teacher who encouraged her to explore Outside of school, Smith is active in the comthe teaching profession. As Smith thought about it, she munity. She has worked the past 10 years with the realized teaching was exactly what she wanted to do and Washington County 4-H Club. She also volunteers needed to do. with Future Farmers of America by judging the FFA “I knew that my high school teacher was right; I was district speech contest. called to be a teacher and hopefully influence someone in Bridgette Smith does a great job with students in the same way she did,” commented Smith. the Bartlesville Public School District. Her hard work In her classroom, Smith focuses on the individualand dedication allows BPSD students to receive the ization of learning to each student. It is her feeling that in best education possible.
Mid-High Principal set to participate in Polar Plunge to benefit BPSD Special Olympians
Bartlesville Mid-High School Principal, Jason Langham, will be participating in the Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 9. The event will take place in downtown Bartlesville at the Hilton Garden Inn beginning at 10 a.m. Mr. Langham will be participating in the event to help raise funds for Bartlesville Public School District students to attend the Special Olympics.
Mr. Langham has a fundraising goal of $500.00. To donate, please visit http://www.firstgiving. com/fundraiser/JasonLangham/2013bartlesvillepol arplunge. This truly is a great cause and many outstanding students from throughout the BPSD will benefit from your donation. Please contact Mr. Langham at BMHS if you have any questions.
Science Fair at Central
Central Middle School hosted a Science Fair on Thursday, January 24 and Friday January 25 in the school library. Students had the opportunity to put their latest research and experiments on display for students and teachers to view.
All-District Band members
The Northeastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association hold auditions each January for seventh, eighth and ninth grade students. There are roughly 900 students who audition for placement in three ensembles comprised of around 100 members each. The honor band clinic is being held at Claremore High School in the Robson Performing Arts Center this weekend. Students will spend the day Friday rehearsing with the other students from around Northeast Oklahoma who were selected for the honor groups and working with a guest conductor whom they have never met. On Saturday, members will rehearse in the morning and then present a concert in the afternoon. The concert begins at 2 p.m. in the Robson PAC and is free and open to the public. Members selected from Bartlesville include Andres Andujar, Emily Jacobs, Mario Salazar, Jaden Adkins, Collin Skalicky, Emily Reel, Hannah Hardin, Jacob Brady, Alex Shipman, Claire Sauer, Ben Grief, Jesse Blake, Nathan Coordsen, Ben Epperson, Bailey Covell, John Martinez and Amber Capps.
Please join us for a special Bartlesville Public School District event...
“Future Schools Discussion Month” When: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 and Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (7:30 p.m.) Where: Central Middle School Auditorium on February 5 and Madison Middle School Auditorium on February 12
On Tuesday, February 5 in the Central Middle School Auditorium and Tuesday, February 12 in the Madison Middle School Auditorium, the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee will host a community discussion. Both events will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. Each discussion session will provide citizens with an update on the facilities planning process and the opportunity to ask questions and provide valuable suggestions and recommendations.
Battle of The Plains Special to The Bruin/The Battle of the Plains took place at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 26. The contest was a powwow between dancers from throughout Oklahoma and the region. Skillful dancing and beautiful regalia was on display throughout the event.
Renowned band to perform at BHS
Special to The Bruin The St. Olaf Band, dubbed "one of America's preeminent bands" by The New Yorker, will perform at Owasso High School and Bartlesville High School as part of their 2013 tour. The concerts will take place on Friday, February 1, at 7 p.m. at Owasso High School and Monday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Bartlesville High School. Each concert is free for all students, $10 for adults/seniors and group rates (10+) are available. Tickets are available on the night of the concert, in advance at stolaftickets.com or by calling 1-800-3635487. The St. Olaf Band's national tour will feature repertoire that includes two works by St. Olaf composers. The first, from recent St. Olaf graduate Jonathan Bartz '08, is "The Valley of the Dry Bones". The second, "Imagine, If You Will", is penned by St. Olaf Band conductor Timothy Mahr '78. Other works on the program include the second movement of Maslanka's Symphony No.5, "Savannah River Holiday" by Ron Nelson, Sinfonietta by Leos Janacek and Adoramus te, Christe by Quirino Gasparini. Founded in 1891, the St. Olaf Band is an ensemble noted for superb musicianship. Under the leadership of conductor Dr. Timothy Mahr, the St. Olaf Band performs the very best compositions and transcriptions for symphonic band, producing an exciting, crowdpleasing style. The St. Olaf Band is the oldest music organization
BMHS Dress Closet
The Bartlesville Mid-High School is currently accepting formal dress donations for the BMHS Student Council Dress Closet. To donate, please bring gently used formal dresses to the BMHS library. Beginning today, dresses will be available to any BMHS student who needs a formal dress for Winter Formal.
at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a campus internationally renowned for its high caliber of musical ensembles. The band has toured nationally since 1904 and internationally since 1906 when they performed a four-week, 30-concert tour of Norway, making them the first American collegiate band to tour Europe. The band has subsequently toured several times in Norway, Great Britain, Japan, and central Europe. In October of 2011 the St. Olaf Band performed for King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway during their visit to St. Olaf College, the second time they have had this honor on royal visits since 1995. After the King and Queen's visit to St. Olaf in 1995, the band toured Norway with the St. Olaf Choir and St. Olaf Orchestra in commemoration of the centennial of Norway’s peaceful separation from Sweden. The St. Olaf Band has been selected through a blind adjudication process as one of only 10 collegiate wind ensembles to perform at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) national conference at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 2:30p.m. "It reflects the talent level and hard work of our members, as well as the diverse and innovative programming we share with our audiences," say Dr. Mahr. "Our performance stands as an affirmation of the level of commitment we all have for the finest music-making. We're humbled and honored by this recognition and are very excited to present our concert."
BMHS Winter Formal set for February 16
The Bartlesville Mid-High School Winter Formal will be taking place on Saturday, February 16 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bartlesville Community Center. Tickets will go on sale today and the cost is $10 per ticket. If students are interested in bringing a guest, forms are available in the BMHS main office or the library.
‘Parents Night Out’ benefit
Guise Premier Martial Arts will be hosting a fundraiser for Premier Kidz Foundation on Friday, February 15. The event, titled, “Parents Night Out,” will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Guise Premier Martial Arts, located at 1023 NE Washington Boulevard. Parents can drop their child off and they will be supervised by members of Guise Premier Martial Arts. There
will be a variety of fun activities for the children. The cost is $15 per child. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Premier Kidz Foundation, a non-profit program made up of Premier Martial Arts studios. The foundation participates in charitable programs nationwide that include anti-bullying and fitness programs.
CMT auditions for ‘A Little Princess’
Special to The Bruin In the scheme of events in the arts in Bartlesville, one of the most anticipated is CMT’s summer musical presentation, and this year proves noteworthy. The selected musical, “A Little Princess”, will have its Oklahoma premiere right here in our city on July 18-21, 2013. Auditions have been scheduled for February 20-24, 2013, for the first round, consisting of a prepared vocal solo for students ages 7-17 in grades 2 through 10 at Madison Middle School. Make your appointment now by calling 918-336-0558 or visiting www. cmtonstage.com to sign up. Visiting this website will give more information about the new show and tips for ensuring a good audition experience and possible casting in the show. A list of suggested audition song choices is provided. The most important aspects of the audition are being prepared, being confident, and enjoying the experience. Aja Kane, director; Marjoleine Gravley, musical director; Travis Dunlap, assistant musical director, and Alex Claussen, orchestra director for the show, are anticipating working with students who love the arts, especially musical
theatre. Despite the fact that a big theme of the show is “Every girl is a princess”, there are marvelous roles for boys in the cast as well. Adventure, intrigue, fantasy, action and sentiment combine to make a show both entertaining and emotionally uplifting. The story embroiders the classic Shirley Temple film with new music, new characters (while retaining many of the “old” ones); dancing, adventure and charm. It is a truly satisfying vehicle for students this age to bring to life on stage and the music enhances the action. The book and lyrics are by Brian Crawley with music by Andrew Lippa. CMT performances are made possible with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts and Humanities Council, ConocoPhillips, and many other corporate and individual donors. To donate or to volunteer your time for the week of performance or all the tasks that lead up to that event, call 918336-0558. Time flies and excitement is already building in anticipation of this charming show in its Oklahoma debut.
Volunteer opportunities available around BPSD
Have you been searching for a way to help out Bartlesville youth? The Bartlesville Public School District has volunteer opportunities available throughout the district. Currently, volunteers are needed to serve as tutors, mentors, Elementary crossing guards and state test proctors. Even if you are not interested in any of the above volunteer opportunities, the BPSD will still gladly take volunteers and find tasks that fit your interests.
In order to become a BPSD volunteer, you must be of legal age, be of good moral character, complete a volunteer inquiry form and pass a background check. Additionally, all volunteers must receive a school orientation and work under the direct supervision of BPSD staff while completing assigned volunteer tasks. To receive more information please contact Christina Rigdon, District Volunteer Coordinator at 918-3376231 ex 1635.
Jane Phillips PEBBLES mentor honored Carol Godwin (right), longtime Jane Phillips Elementary School PEBBLES mentor, was recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence as a 2012 Mentor of the Year. Godwin has been a PEBBLES mentor for five years. According the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, honorees were selected by their prospective organizations, which are members of the Boren Mentoring Initiative network. Each recipient received a Certificate of Recognition signed by David Boren, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence. The PEBBLES program stands for Positive Eagle Buddies Building Lasting Education Success. The program has a tremendous impact on many Jane Phillips Elementary students.
SCHOOLS- Continued from page 1
Middle School auditorium and Tuesday, February 12 in the Madison Middle School auditorium, the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee will host a community discussion. Both events will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. Each discussion session will provide citizens with an update on the facilities planning process and the opportunity to ask questions and provide valuable suggestions and recommendations. Also taking place during the month of February, a diverse sampling of Bartlesville area citizens will be contacted through a tele-
phone survey. This survey, managed by a professional firm with Bartlesville experience, is part of a comprehensive survey being managed and paid for by the Committee for City Progress. Like the public forums, the surveys will provide the chance for the participants to be part of the facilities planning process. For those not contacted by phone, the BPSD will also have a brief survey available on its website during the month of February that will allow people to answer questions that will provide valuable information for the facilities planning process. An announcement will be made as soon as the survey is posted
online. Various other information and opportunities will be available throughout the month as well. The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) and the Bartlesville Public School District value the importance of each opinion in the community regarding the future of BPSD facilities. Both groups encourage all community members to participate in events throughout the month and contribute to the planning process. Although the month of February will have a variety of events for public dialogue, citizens are always encouraged to communicate their opinions to the LRFPC and the BPSD at any time.
Important 2013-2014 BHS enrollment dates
an o rientation program over various parts of the course selection process including course recommendation, scheduling and selection procedures. Following each orientation session, counselors will be available in the Fine Arts Center lobby to answer any questions parents may have. Over the next month, students will have the ENROLLMENT- Continued from page 1
opportunity to enroll in classes for the 2013-2014 school year. Page eight has two charts that outline important enrollment dates for 2013-2014 Bartlesville High School students. The course selection process is important and the Bartlesville Public School District encourages students and parents to discuss what courses will be best for academic success.
Stellar Sites
The Bartlesville Public School District offers a wide array of useful tools for students as well as parents. For some extra educational insight, give these web sites a look: PowerSchool http://www.bps-ok.org Click on the PowerSchool link toward the top of the home page. - Parents and legal guardians can check with office personnel at their student’s school to find out how to access PowerSchool. - Information on students - such as grades and attendance records available via PowerSchool. Study Island http://www.studyisland.com Use the “Member
Login.” - Student login information must be obtained from teachers. Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BartlesvillePublicSchools or http://www.facebook.com/BartlesvilleHighSchool - Everyone can keep up with what’s going throughout the BPSD or at Bartlesville High School by becoming fans of these pages, which are updated regularly with news and events. Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/BPSDBruins - Keep up with the latest news and announcements from throughout the BPSD.
Bartlesville Public School District Activities (February 1 - February 7) Friday, February 1 -Spirit Day @ Kane -MMS Parent Support Group Meeting ( 12 p.m.) -Central FCCLA Meeting (7:45 a.m.) -MMS and Central All District Band Clinic -Swimming @ Jenks Invite
Tuesday, February 5 -Vision Screenings @ Kane -Central Student Council Meeting (7:45 a.m.) -BHS Enrollment Meeting @ FAC (6 p.m.) -Varsity, JV and Junior High wrestling vs. Muskogee (6 p.m.) ***Community Discussion Meeting @ Central (7:30 p.m.)***
Saturday, February 2 MMS and Central All District Band Clinic/Concert -Varsity girls and boys basketball vs. NOAH (6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.) -JV girls and boys basketball vs. Tulsa NOAH ( 4 p.m.. and 5:30 p.m.) -Swimming @ Jenks Invite
Wednesday, February 6 -Kane Peaceful Warriors (2:30 p.m.) -Central Parent Support Group Meeting (12 p.m.) -BHS Enrollment Meeting @ FAC (12 p.m.)
Sunday, February 3 (No events scheduled)
Thursday, February 7 -Spring Pictures @ Ranch Heights -Battle of the Books practice @ Central (3 p.m.) -Varsity, JV and Junior High wrestling vs. Jenks (6 p.m.)
Monday, February 4 -Vision Screening @ Kane -Hoover PTO Meeting -St. Olaf Wind Band @ FAC (7:30 p.m.) -Varsity girls and boys basketball vs. East Central (6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Editing, writing, design and photography by Chris Tanea, Bartlesville Public School District community relations coordinator, unless otherwise noted
